Injured Santos defender Neto could be ruled out for a month

Santos defender Neto is to await test results after he was taken off at the start of the second half in his side's opening Serie A draw against Sport Recife yesterday evening.

Neto, who has become crucial to Santos' immediate aspirations due to injuries to Edu Dracena and Gustavo Henrique, hurt his left thigh muscle when the game was goalless and was taken off as a precaution.

Reports in the Brazilian media have suggested that Neto's injury could be a Grade 2 strain, which would rule him out of action for between two weeks and a month.

With the Brazilian domestic season set for a break in order to let the World Cup play out with no club games, a longer period of absence for Neto would mean he misses only a handful of matches for the Sao Paulo outfit.